Only 9 days to go.  The game against Aus A tommorow is on Sky, by the way.

Some random thoughts that I have in my head right now -

1) This is England's best chance in Australia in the last two decades. Of course Australia are still the favourites given how good they are at home, but I think there's a good chance of at least drawing the series.

2) It's hard to imagine an Ashes series without Flintoff.

3) I am worried about Finn. I think the management don't have a proper idea of what he is - while they promote him as someone like Harmy or Morkel, he himself seems more keen on becoming a clone of McGrath. He doesn't use his full height, either (or didn't do it last summer), so maybe they are looking for something that isn't there?

I'd be more comfortable with Tremlett in the the line up, although I get the impression that the team for the first Test is now set in stone.

4) After this series, Chris Broad won't be considered the best Aussie basher even in his family, in my opinion.

5) I like how the line up seems rather settled right now. I don't think any of the players are drinking at last chance saloon right now -  except for maybe Cook (although he is too young to not make a comeback, even if he gets dropped) and at a long shot, Colly. A stark contrast to Australia, who may get rid of Hussey, Hauritz, North, Katich, Haddin forever if they fare poorly. Plus Ponting is in under pressure on the captaincy front, and Clarke is under the cosh no matter how many runs he scores.

6) KP needs to get rid of his moustache.